Hi Everyone.
I know... .it's still summer and none of us want to think about the upcoming cold season :-) But I did want to share a card I made using a new set from the Holiday catalog called "Beauty of the Season". Those of you who follow my blog regularly will know that this is one set I just HAD to have. Yes... it was a NEED not a want -)
It has a fabulous cardinal. When I first saw it in the catalog I thought he looked a little hairy... but once I colored him, I decided I liked it :-)
For this card, I wanted something that would easily fit through the post, but still have enough interest that it would make the recipient want to run their fingers over it.
I began by stamping the image onto a Whisper White layer. I then restamped the bird onto watercolor paper. I used my water pen and inks to color in the bird, using different amounts of water to get some gradation in color.
I colored the branch with markers and then used some liquid glitter for the berries. I stamped the sentiment from a new set... which will be available as a hostess benefit with the new mini!!! It's called Good Greetings and I love the sentiments and the fonts.
Here's the card all mounted and finished off:
It really didn't take me long to make the card, but I like the popped cardinal, the glitter berries and the texture that comes from the water colored cardinal. I have other ideas about what I'm going to do with this set, but think this might be one of my bulk Christmas cards this year! Oh... and, of course, I had to give the bird an "eye". I just have this thing...... I HAVE to put beady eyes on birds :-) I used black Enamel Accents for the eye.
On a personal note:
I've been frantically trying to finish some swap cards that I committed to. It sounded like such a good idea when I signed up to make 36 cards.... not realizing that I was going to be quite so busy at work and at home! I've been buried in my craft room for a couple of hours every night trying to a) work out what I was going to do for the cards and then b) trying to get them started. I've finished one set, but still need to do the others. It didn't help that it took me five.... yes that is five... hours to come up with a design that I liked using the one set!!!!
The weather here is gorgeous... I know it isn't in many parts of the country... but it certainly is here. The temps are warm, but the humidity is low. The temps drop into the 60s at night, making it wonderful to sleep with the windows wide open and the breeze and fresh air blowing gently into the bedroom. We have even managed to get a couple of quick "sits" in our underdeck area. We are SO pleased that we did that.
I do have one photo to share with you tonight...... I called it "three's a crowd! When I first spotted the three of them, I was all excited cos I thought Niles and Daphne had finally reproduced. Well, when I looked closely I realized that they couldn't have produced a fully grown grey heron!!!!
As I type my post, the two of them are under the bird feeder calling to let us know that they have arrived. A couple of times this week I have been on conference calls and had to explain what that STRANGE noise was in the background :-) Yes. they really are THAT loud. Niles and Daphne.. not my conference calls :-)
I've been promising to answer some questions... so let me do that :-)
Marina... let me know when your 50th wedding anniversary is.... also... I have a couple of recycled stamp sets for you... so send me your contact address again in an email, so that I can pop them in the post for your arrival in the US in Oct :-)
Rach.... I have a solution on what to do with those cards you were saving for OWH..... keep a watch on this space tomorrow night for all the details.... thats for all of you who were interested in a card drive!!!
Terri: you asked about tips on housework..... ah. ha. i have a website for you. I warn you though... once you go there you will get lost in all the great ideas! I discovered this website a few night's ago.... I can't remember how I found it... but I was so happy that I did.
Well. As I said to Rach... check back tomorrow... I have an announcement about a card drive!!!! I know that you will all want to get behind this cause!
As always... thank you so much for your patience whilst I have been AWOL the last couple of weeks. I really do appreciate that you come back and check and stick with me. It really does mean a great deal to me - and it is that reason that has me coming back here. Your feedback in the form of comments and emails is what makes this blog what it is. I have no set idea what I am going to say any night. I had no idea that I would still be blogging after all this time.
IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU that I do this. I really have "met" some amazing people through this blog and I feel I get to know a little about each of you that send me photos, send me emails and leave messages. I also appreciate so much that you support each other through those messages and I know that you do, too!
On that note... have a wonderful Wednesday night. Me? I'm off to go try to finish a couple more swap cards!
Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.
Hugs
Jaydee
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!
- Stamps: Beauty of the Season. Good Greetings
- Inks: Real Red. StazOn black. Baked Brown Sugar. Soft Suede.
- Card stock: Real Red. Whisper White. Watercolor
Ha, Jaydee! The moment I saw that stamp set I knew (*KNEW*!) I'd be seeing it over here! ;o) The card is simplicity made perfect. The cardinal is the focus, as he should be. Beautiful. Just beautiful. :o)
Ah...now I'm intrigued...:oP I'll be back to check out what's going on with the cards...
Niles and Daphne are stunning--as has been your weather, you lucky thing, you! I'm desperately waiting for those cool evenings so I can open *my* windows at night.
Hang in there with those swaps--it always seems ideas simply won't come when we most need them! :oS
Hugs!
P.S. Hi Lou! :oD
Posted by: Rach | 14 August 2014 at 07:51 PM
Cardinals are such lovely birds and are wonderful in making holiday cards and this is no exception. Your card is lovely. Such a pretty stamp. Giving the bird some dimension really makes him stand out and proud.
Beautiful job on the card.
Enjoy your day and have a wonderful week
Posted by: ColleenB. - Texas | 14 August 2014 at 04:09 AM
I've seen several cards using the cardinal and I've been trying to decide if I wanted him. I also thought maybe he was a little hairy. Your card is easily the prettiest one I've seen using this set. If I thought I could color him half as well as you did I might break down and buy the cardinal!
Posted by: Diane | 14 August 2014 at 12:15 AM